Around $30 a large main48 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Centralhttps://www.facebook.com/pocha.nz

Korean food in Auckland tends towards different shades of the same dishes and flavours, lacking variety. Pocha instead offers a more unique menu and the perfect atmosphere for a nightly feast.The restaurant serves fast and dirty Korean dishes, expect none of the traditional banchan (side dishes). Fried foods are numerous and gratifying such as the almond flaked karaage chicken, with its audibly crunchy exterior.

Dishes are of varying sizes and qualities unfortunately, consistency isn't Pocha's strong point. The pan fried pork belly and squid comes with rice, is tender meat delicious and food enough for three people. The grilled pork belly with garlic and kimchi is barely enough for two and is significantly blander.

The restaurant is lively and rowdy on Friday and Saturday evenings. I’d encourage you to join in, with copious shots of soju. The soju ‘cocktails’ go down incredibly easy, though the syrupy sweet kick is a touch too strong.Bringing multiple friends to Pocha is key and the magic number sits with at least three.

For a larger than life version of Korean, go to Pocha on a Friday evening. Bring a few friends, have a few drinks and enjoy.